“The people in the back of the line are in for a rude awakening. There aren't going to be any TV's left for them,” said Daniel Pedro, 34, of New Bedford.

“The best stay sharp at Best Buy,” quipped Josh Mattos, 17, of New Bedford, standing next to Raposo, Pedro and a group of about 20 companions, including Louise Lafleur, 45, of Fall River.

Lafleur, standing eighth in a line of at least 500 customers that curled around the back of the building, toughed it out overnight even after a friend had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital after complaining of chest pains.

The group kept warm overnight in sleeping blankets, and during the day drank coffee, hot chocolate and used hand warmers. They missed Thanksgiving dinner, but they at least had food delivered to them by thoughtful relatives.

They also passed the time — about 27 hours — talking and meeting new people with a passion for discounted electronics.

“We've been socializing, keeping each other company. It's been a wild ride, but it's all leading up to a 42-inch TV,” said Austin Ferreira, 20, of New Bedford.

“Come next year and you'll see us out here with recliners and barbecue grills,” Mattos added.

A similar scene played out at other major retailers in the area. Long lines of shoppers were seen in the early-morning hours outside Wal-Mart in Fairhaven, as well as the other big-box stores along Dartmouth's main commercial strips on State and Faunce Corner roads.

According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, up to 152 million people across the country planned to shop during this Black Friday weekend, which would be higher than the 138 million people who shopped last year.

This year's Black Friday shopping was also different in that several local stores opened shortly after midnight instead of around 5 a.m. like other years.

Around 12:30 p.m. today, a half-hour before opening, at least 1,000 people waited in line to enter the Target store in Dartmouth. The line curled around the parking lot and behind the Dick's Sporting Goods store.

Standing a few feet from the entrance, Bryan Torres, 21, of Fall River, waited to buy a $300 46-inch television. He at least got to enjoy part of his Thanksgiving, as he began standing outside Target around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

“I will do whatever it takes to physically walk out of here with a TV,” said Torres, who stood second in line.

About 100 yards across the parking lot, Kelly Worsley, of Fall River, stood last in line, but was still optimistic that she would find good Black Friday deals inside Target.

“I've seen lines worse than this, and every time within 10 minutes I'm in the store and getting what I came for,” said Worsley, a registered nurse who has been shopping on Black Friday for 30 years.